Antique Chinese Marble Stone Shrine
Maitreya Buddha
On Four Directions
Circa: 19th Century and earlier
H.7.5 in.(19cm), W.8.5 in.(22cm), D.5.5 in.(14cm)
Condition: minor erosions and small chips
Sold
To Private Collection
Carved
in high relief from marble, depicting a canopy composed of four trees, with four
dragons wrapping around each trunk, beneath which four Maitreya Buddhas appearing
in four directions, two in pensive gesture and two standing in opposite side,
each flanked by a two guardian lions. This warm gray marble carving shows numerous
small chips and minerals accumulations over time. Although stylistically the work
resembles Maitreya of the Wei period (6th century), it is conservatively dated
19th century and earlier.